good/bad idea?

not sure what all to do there, but saw there was a Tram--would do that (if open)

are most bars/restaurants open in Cali?

any other ideas to do in that area?  

Bringing the kids- 16, 20

Short hikes, bikes etc would be a plus

Note that we were considering hitting Vegas after a few days in PS.  thoughts on that?  not to gamble, bt to maybe hit the dam, valley of fire, etc
anything in between we should stop at?


first time there (palm springs), so any help is appreciated

The greater Palm Springs area is a traditional winter retreat for people to escape winter weather from much of the country and beyond.  So things can be a bit congested at times.  The weather is generally quite good although is a bit of a chance for rain, most the rain stays to the west of the mountains.  It's also an easy drive from most of Southern California, like L.A., Hollywood or West Hollywood.  It's SoCal, it's alphabet friendly.

The Tram is a must do.  Unless you/someone hates enclosed places (the tram car) or heights.  Apparently some restrictions on what's open at the top.  Things can change.  Perhaps open all days over the holiday period again?    They close down in the worst weather, I think.  Depending on weather and snow conditions you can have a lot of or very little snow on top.  They suggest temperatures at the top can be 30-40 degrees colder than at the bast station.  When younger, we've backpacked and xc skied in the wilderness area at the top.  One friend road up and down the tram sitting on the floor, holding the center rail with his eyes closed the whole ride up or down.

Bars and restaurants are generally in the take-out/outdoor dining phase.  So somewhat more restricted availability depending on what kind of outdoor set up they might have. Given the weather, outdoors isn't going to be too bad.  If spikes get ridiculous, so will the governor.

There is a lot of outdoor recreation centered activity, sports like tennis and golf, you are close to a number of desert related destinations.  Museums and the like are probably closed.  Hiking and biking are probably wide open.

It's quite close to Joshua Tree, hiking, bouldering, sightseeing, etc.  There are a number of other parks, nature preserves in the area.  Maybe 4x4 or ohv rentals but don't know.  Never looked into it.  There can be skiing and snow play in the local mountains.  That can be very crowded and congested.  Big Bear is a pretty high mountain lake but with ski areas and limited road access, crowds are common.

Salton Sea isn't too far away and it's got some rather "interesting" things about it.  Slab City, mud volcanoes.

There are often threads going on about Vegas.  Vegas isn't too far away in California terms but mostly desert or perhaps some mountain driving depending on routes chosen.  It's past Joshua Tree.  Death Valley is not out of the question, again, due to the weather, it's likely to be at least a little busy.  If you go to Vegas, watch your schedule.  Prices get crazy around New Years and weekends, tend to drop off otherwise.  I think the dam and bridge are worth visiting.  Red Rock Canyon and Valley of Fire are more red rock southwest than the more granitey SoCal deserts, so different.  Two hours or so to Zion.  That's pretty busy but worth considering.

Even if not hot, with desert travel, have extra water, be a little wary of GPS directions if off obvious main roads.  If you have trouble, don't leave your vehicle.

Riverside County just dropped back to Purple.  That's the most restrictive category here in Sunny Southern California.

https://www.desertsun.com/story/news/health/2020/11/09/riverside-county-reopening-region-expected-stay-purple-tier/6227933002/

In the best of times the Coachella Valley is busy in the winter months.  Holiday season extra busy.  If you wanted to get a house with a heated pool and lounge all day, with some limited trips to see things, and didn't mind paying  an arm, a leg and your left nut, you might consider it.

This isn't the right year for a trip there over the holidays.

Vegas?  If you have kids and want to see sites other than gambling and bar-hopping, there are a lot of things to do in the great outdoors.  Valley of Fire, Red Rock Canyon, a couple of hours to Zion National Park,(which might will be crowded).  The dam and walking out across the Tillman Bridge is definitely worth doing.

Four-wheeling is available there and there are a lot of places up around  Hurricane, Utah for wheeling and hiking.  Me, I plan on going to Yant Flats before too long.  It's in the Red Cliffs National Conservation area.  I might even suggest a few days in Vegas and a few days up in Hurricane.  I haven't checked on what winter weather is like up there, yet. We are planning to go up there for a few days soon, hopefully.  Ma Danby is retiring next week

Again, what the Covid Restrictions will be anywhere  in a few months is hard to tall.

wrong thread

Stay home ,save your money new State Wide Lock Down.

thanks all for the responses

i think we are going to wait--becuse of the covid bullshit....keeping shit closed.

maybe in the future...i hope

When you do come to Palm Springs, make sure you see the Palm Springs Air Museum.  Lot's of great WWII airplanes and now a number of Cold War era jets too.  Lighting is good, some weekends might have fly overs, so check their website.  Great museum and open year around.

F.A.S. Out

Drive to Calimesa, and eat at Georges Market?

I'm from that area..

So I really dont get excited about much of anything out there.

Dont do Palm Springs, if youre gonna come do Palm Desert or Rancho Mirage. Palm Springs is a mini San Francisco. Their mayor has shut down everything and has the cops driving up and down the streets warning about masks over their intercom systems. Two cities over in sheriff controlled cities its night and day difference, dining is outdoors for the most part but the weather here is beautiful right now a little cold at night. The casinos here are open, stores are open, masks are required to enter everywhere though as they have been since march. Im not sure if the tram is open with the newest shut down. Feel free to PM me if you have any further questions. Been living out here in the desert for the last 15 years and luckily moving away soon.

Don't come to Las Vegas. All the live entertainment shows are still dark and masks are required everywhere indoors and out. The Hoover dam tour is shut down and the O'Callaghan/Tillman bridge is closed to pedestrian traffic. Restaurants just got stuck back to 25% capacity and reservations are required for dine in. Our guvnah is a commie shit swizzler fuck face who licks kalifornia's gag-on-cock newsom's butthole and implements kalifornia bullshit here. And also crime is up on the LV Blvd. strip due to the rich and vibrant crowd ghetto trash coming up from kalifornia for the cheap room rates.

I used to live in the area.  Palm Springs is pretty boring at the best of times.

The chicks like to go to a resort spa for a girls weekend about once a year.